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Anti-Personnel Bombs Have Become More Than Personal

These are the eyes of our family

A young girl recovers in an Iraqi hospital after loss of her hand in a landmine explosion

What is a land-mine?-

       A land-mine is an explosive unit, bomb contained in a wood, metal or plastic case.  Land-mines are placed in the shallow layer of the earth.  The land-mine detonates under pressure.  This bomb was designed to injure large numbers on the enemy's side, so as to force the enemy into an increase of medical support.  However the land mine does not discriminate between  the enemy, a child, an elephant, a civilian, or a de-mining team.  In a land ridden with mines a footstep can be deadly.  

 

A Land-mine is also reffered to as: An anti-personnel mine or cluster bomb

It costs $300 -$1,000 to locate and destroy a single land-mine.  Removing a mine is a long, expensive and dangerouse process, yet the production and placement of a mine costs about $3. 

History-

The presence of land-mines dates back 600 years to Northern China.  The modern form was first used in the 15th century in the Battle of Agincourd, England.  It was more so used in the American Revolution.  Yet it was not until World War I and II came around that millions of anti-tank and anti-personnel land-mines were created and planted.  Today we still see the affects of those hidden mines.  This device became a military celebrity after Germany created "Bouncing Betty".  Bouncing Betty was a landmine created to jump up to the height of one's hip in detonation.  This was very effective and detrimental to the victim who took the footstep, as many little shards of steel entered their body.  After this, land-mines were used in multiple wars around the world.

 

The concept of de-mining only came about in 1988 when the UN called for funding to de-mine Afghanistan.

After eight years of work the anti-land-mine treaty was put into force on March 1, 1999.  This treaty was created by the International Ban on Land-Mines Campaign.  Yet key countries like the United States and China have not signed the UN treaty.  The countries who have placed these mines in the homes of others should be responsible for the clean up. 

The victims-

One of the most useful things for the survivors to lead a normal life is prosthetic limbs.  A prosthetic limb costs $100-$3,000.  An adult is supposed to get a new prosthetic every two to three years.  A child must replace theirs every six months. 

 

"30% of all landmine victims require amputations and between 2 and 6 times more units of blood than people injured by bullets or fragments."-ICBLM

A large problem for the handicapped is getting enployment and being able to do the work.  A survivor shouldn't also have to become a burden to their family. 

Land-mines have become an enemy to the civilians, if this is compared to rubber bullets, tasers, ...Then why don't the users fully appreciate their affects, as they are required to do with the bullets, etc.?

Action-

Action which needs to be taken or finished includes:

> A worldwide cease of production and use of anti-personnel mines

> De-mining of land affected around the world (in agriculture and school areas)

> Restoring this land back to the people to safely use for farming and sustainability

> Medical attention in a timely manner to those injured by land-mines

> Prosthetic limbs for those affected

> Employment opportunities for survivors

> Eduction about the nature of land-mines to childred in affected areas

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                                                     When did war become waged on civilians?                                                

Jody Williams- When Ordinary People Achieve Extraordinary Things

Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel peace prize winner, founding coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines

Human Rights watch

TAKE ACTION-     Adopt-A-Minefield          

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 The spirit is resiliant

Due to aid from AAM this young girl is a survivor and can go on to live her life!

Hope  is  here

 Biblography

 original posting by Emma Wade - 6/3/07